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Do I need to shut down my computer at night?

Years ago, we were told (or a rumor was spread) that turning computers off and on a lot could be harmful and shorten their lifespan. This no longer holds true as most modern computers can handle all the power-ups and downs you can throw at them. So, this question is really more about energy consumption.

As with anything, the least amount of power will be used if you shut your computer all the way off. That said, today's machines are fairly energy efficent in standby or hibernate mode.

If you do a full "Shut Down" (or "Turn Off Computer") your computer will be completely off, using no power at all. "Hibernate" and "Standby" are lower-power states that allow you to resume using your computer more quickly. Hibernate is closest to shutdown, and uses less power than Standby, since when you put your computer in standby mode it is still sending power to some components.

In general, DeGeeked recommends you go ahead and turn your computer off when you won't be using it for long periods of time - several hours or more. You'll help reduce energy consumption, which is good for both the environment and your power bill.